LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL : REFLECTION

Showing posts with label REFLECTION. Show all posts

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BREAKFAST WITH JESUS

Gordy Afri Tuesday, April 14, 2020

dining room in Villa Paganini, Parma-Italy

Today’s Gospel reminds me about Philippines. There, I always had breakfast when I went to celebrate the morning Mass in the convent. During the breakfast, we shared many things. About the daily life, community life, the social situation, politic and culture. Having breakfast together is a good chance to know each other.

Jesus invites Peter and friends to have breakfast with Him. I will be very happy if I am there with Peter. There will be a special breakfast. The Jesus’ presence is important for them. He brings the new hope when they are hopeless. One night without gaining what they want to have. Following the Jesus’ order, they got many fish. This is not only a miracle but also the God grace.

We are all invited to have breakfast with Jesus. It also reminds us to open our heart and go out from our comfort zone. Jesus will share many things with us so only if we want to listen to Him, we can get something from Him. If not, that breakfast reminds only as ordinary gathering. Have a nice day.

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WAITING FOR THE KINGDOM

Gordy Afri Wednesday, November 14, 2018

November 15, 2018

WAITING FOR THE KINGDOM

Luke 17: 20-25

After this mass, I will go to school, take the MRT and BTS. I make this way every day. I stop in the station, waiting for BTS and MRT. When I was meditating this Gospel, I remembered this experience. I said that if I can know the coming of the Kingdom of God, as I know when the BTS comes, I will be very happy. I will make a good preparation. But, in today's Gospel we listen, no one knows the coming of the Kingdom. I and you know the coming of BTS

(around 3 or 5 minutes) but I and you can not know the coming of the Kingdom of God.

I think that His coming is like in the Christmas that we will celebrate in next month. Jesus comes in the silent night. Many people don’t recognise his presence. So, I think that we don’t need to know when He will come. Because the Gospel says: the Kingdom of God is among you. We need only to realize his presence. What will we prepare is about ourselves. Let us ask the help of God so that we can enter in silence so that we realize the presence of the Kingdom of God.

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USELESS SERVANT

Gordy Afri Tuesday, November 13, 2018

November 13, 2018

USELESS SERVANT

Luke 17: 7-10

Many friends ask me about our missionary service here in Bangkok. Most of them ask about to whom we serve? The answer is to the Buddhist people. Why? Because the majority of Thai people are Buddhists. Our missionary charism also is about bringing Jesus to those who don’t know Him yet. They are in this category.

Today’s Gospel tells about the servant. All the Christians are the servants of God. Jesus says that we are no more as a slave but as a servant. As Jesus says, servant intends to serve and not to be served. In our daily life in Bangkok, we are the servants. More details are useless servants because we serve the non-Christians people. But, are we really the useless servants? Yes, I think. It means that event we serve the non-Christians, actually not we who serve them but our Lord Jesus Christ. When we serve the Buddhist people we serve God. So, we try to see God in our missionary service.

How about you? Are you a servant also? To whom you serve? Let us ask the Lord to give us his Spirit to go on in our daily life as a useless servant of God.

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A GREAT DUTY

Gordy Afri Sunday, November 11, 2018

November 12, 2018

A GREAT DUTY

Luke 17: 1-6

The experience of forgiveness is always a difficult problem. I can explain very well about this topic but in practice, I fail. It is easy to say "I forgive you". But, it is hard to say "I am sorry". Many times I respond to my friends "I forgive you", but I have still an anger in my heart.

Today’s gospel informs us about forgiveness. If we can forgive our friends, it will be a good experience. Jesus invites us to forgive the others. We know that sometimes it is very difficult, but we must try. With His help, we can try it. Jesus invites us to put it in practice. We can answer it with our faith. Similar to the disciples, we can ask Jesus to strengthen our faith in order to able to forgive the others.

I invite you to read this words of Matthew Henry, “The giving of offences is a great sin,” “the forgiving of offences is a great duty.”

Have a nice day.

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SOLEMNITY OF THE SAINTS

Gordy Afri Thursday, November 01, 2018

November 1, 2018

Solemnity of all Saints

Mat 5: 1-12a

Today we celebrate the solemnity of all Saints. This celebration reminds us to remember all the saints that we know. Someone may be very near with one two or three saints. Someone may be more than this. The Saints are our example of being a follower of Jesus. The Saints are those who not only listen to the beatitudes but also put them in daily life.

In today’s Gospel, we listen to Jesus who goes to the mountain and speaks to many people. From the mountain he can see all, he can see each of us. Not only this, but he also invites us to listen to Him. His invitation is personal for everyone. The Saints are those who respond to the calling of Jesus.

All of us are called to become a saint in our daily life. Let us pray so that God helps us to open our heart and listen to his calling for each of us.

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SAVED BY JESUS

Gordy Afri Saturday, October 27, 2018

October 28, 2018

SAVED BY JESUS

Mark 10: 46-52

I believe that we see the people cry out everywhere. Around our house in Bangkok, there are a lot of people cry out for many reasons: drug, good life, good feature, asking help, angry and many other reasons. We can say that there are two kinds of crying: for good and for bed. In this reflection, I want to go deep in the crying for good things.

In today’s Gospel, we read the blind man cry out for Jesus. He doesn’t see Jesus but he knows Jesus is passing by. This is the reason why he cries. He wants to see Him. He believes that Jesus can open his eyes. Jesus recognises how large the faith of this man. “Your faith saved you.”

Can we say to others, “Your faith saved you?” For me, I never say it. Maybe it could be for you also. Sometimes, I find myself like the disciples: blind to see the reality around me. I listen but I don’t care about it. I become blind in faith.

Let us pray to the Lord so that we can let Him open our heart to recognise Him in our daily life.

Happy Sunday.

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CONVERT BY PATIENT

Gordy Afri Saturday, October 27, 2018

October 27, 2018

CONVERT BY PATIENT

Luke 13: 1-9

When entering our Thai school in Payatai, I try to greet the guard in the gate. Every day I make like this not only for him but also for other people like in the convent of the sisters, in the station metal detector. Usually, in these latter two places, I received a good response. But, in the school, in the beginning, was not so good. I never see this guard smiles, always very serious. I try to continue my regards for him every day. About one or two weeks after, finally I see him in the new look, he smiles at us. I said, finally I convert this person. This is just a little story about our life.

In today’s Gospel Jesus invites us to change our lives. Sometimes we need to change from bad things to good things, from good things to more good things. Like in the Gospel we are invited to cut the bad things that don’t produce good things. Don’t forget and don’t fear to cut it from our daily life. Converting or changing one style to other style is not easy. Even for us. Today’s Gospel gives us hope that we have time to make it. Jesus gives the second occasion to change our lives. If we want we can try, Jesus is waiting for us. We really give thanks to Him because of this. I am very happy with our faith. In other religion maybe doesn’t have this possibility to convert, to make a little or big change.

Let us pay and ask the Help of Jesus so that our heart is open to conversion.

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SEPARATED BY DIFFERENCES

Gordy Afri Thursday, October 25, 2018

October 25, 2018

SEPARATED BY DIFFERENCES

Luke 12:49-53

Every switch has the effect. That’s why for some people don’t want or very difficult to change. They notice the change or reform as a crucial thing. I remember here in Bangkok, many families from the slum area don’t want to change the way of life, change place to live, etc. They feel good in actual place. They don’t need the new place. They know that this change carries them to a totally new situation.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said that he comes to bring the division. The division happens because of the presence of Jesus. Many people don’t accept the lifestyle of Jesus, many others accept it. When the community becomes two groups like this, the division is coming.ri

In our Catholic Church, there is a lot of changes like now with Pope Francis. Some of Church leaders don’t accept the reformation. Let us pray so that we can respect each other include their personal opinions. May Jesus change them to the new situation.

Have a nice day.

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I AM WITH YOU

Gordy Afri Tuesday, October 23, 2018

October 24, 2018

I AM WITH YOU

Luke 12: 39-48

I took breakfast with the priest in the convent this morning. I went there to say the Mass in Thai. Today (Oct 23) in Thailand is a holiday so there were few people in the church. During the breakfast, we talked more about the Thai language. I like one comment father said to me, “I hope you learn Thai very fast so that you can preside the Mass soon. But, don’t worry, I am with you, we are with you to support your study.” I am very happy to listen to it. One is a courage, other is a support. It gives me a new spirit in my studying.

Today’s Gospel talks about the vigilant. We are called to become a vigilante. But, our job is not only about waiting for Jesus’ coming. If we still in this step, we can not find the best moment when Jesus come. Jesus has already arrived. He is always with us. So, what we should do as a vigilant? We can support ourselves and the others to become more responsible for the time we have. Don’t waste the time said the businessman. We use our time to glorify Him. Invite the others to use their time to pray and do more activities again as a manifest of the presence of God. God is present in the poor people so we go there to serve them, to help them. This is the meaning of becoming vigilant of Christ.

I am vigilant in my studies. My friend priest who supports me become vigilant in his job as a priest in the convent. We are all a vigilant in our daily life.

Have a nice day.

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LAMP FROM THE PALACE

Gordy Afri Tuesday, October 23, 2018

October 23, 2018

LAMP FROM THE PALACE

Luke 12: 35-38

Every night, I see the big lamp from the palace near our apartment in Bangkok. The lamp switches on at 6.00 p.m until 6.00 a.m. Rain or no rain, the lamp switches on in that time. Sometimes, I get up in the night and observe the light. It is very helpful and a little romantic. But, sometimes it disturbs me. I can not sleep with the lamp on. That’s why I close my curtain to avoid the light.

What that calls my attention here is not about the lamp but about the light. The light enlightens whole the palace entrance. Those who enter in the night can see it very nice. When they put their motorcycle, the shine from the lamp leads them. I can say that this big lamp is always ready to lighten those who enter in the evening. The lamp here is like a vigilant.

Today’s Gospel talks about the vigilant. Jesus calls the disciples, invites us to become a vigilante. It means that we need to be ready to serve, to welcome Him, to help the others, to hear his voice, and many other activities. Becoming a disciple of Jesus means becoming vigilant, becoming a servant. If we enter profoundly, we will realize that in the end not only the master who is happy but also the servants. The servants prepare everything and the master will be happy to see it.

Jesus in the last supper shows us more than this. He who is the master transforms himself as a servant. He is a master who arranges the disciples in the high position. So, do we want to become a servant vigilant? Pray more so one day we will become a servant vigilant.

Have a nice day.

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BRING THE GOSPEL

Gordy Afri Sunday, October 21, 2018

October 21, 2018

WORLD MISSION DAY

Mark 10: 35-45

picture: cssr.news/spanish

Today is World Mission Day. Pope Francis in his message “Together with young people, let us bring the Gospel to all” invites the young people to be a messenger of the Gospel. It means that they will become a servant who serves and not to be served. Today’s Gospel talks about this message. We are invited to learn from our Lord Jesus Christ who comes to serve and does not come to be served.

Young people can do it very well. They must also first become a friend of the Gospel: read, study, meditate about it. After this, they will bring the fruits of their spiritual meditation to the world. This is a missionary. Pope Francis in his message mentions the young people who go to the mission as a volunteer. They are the servant who serves the others through the Good News. They are a missionary.

I was very happy because the Priest in the church we concelebrate the mass mentioned me as a missionary. In Thailand, this year in particular because they celebrate the 350 years of the first proclamation.

I thanks be to God also for my first priest ordination: October 21, 2017, in Pekanbaru-Indonesia. I need your prayer.

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PARTICIPATED IN TESTIMONY

Gordy Afri Saturday, October 20, 2018

October 20, 2018

PARTICIPATED IN TESTIMONY

Luke 12: 8-12

Every week, we meet the children who come to our house. Little by little, day by day, week by week, I notice one thing about Thai people or Buddhist people. I notice that most of them use a necklace of Buddha. I can say that this necklace is like a holy cross for us Catholics and Protestant. I think that this necklace is a kind of testimony to say that I am a Buddhist, I am a follower of Buddha.

Today's Gospel talks about the testimony. The testimony is like the Thai people show us through their necklace. This a kind of testimony. Like them, even for us, this also could be not a testimony. Some can say that I use this just as a fashion. No problem. But, for us, this is a testimony.

The real testimony for us is our life. Our daily life is really the best place to make a testimony. It can talk more than an accessory. In our daily life, we can find our self sometimes in a happiness but sometimes in sadness. It means that if our testimony just like a necklace it can be very easy. But, if we can do more than this, it can be very meaningful and at the same time may be very difficult. At that point, only one way for us to go out from this situation. The way is asking the help of the Holy Spirit. Actually, only the Holy Spirit can make the testimony. All of us are just a participant in the testimony.

Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily life, to make our testimony.

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LIGHTED BY FAITH

Gordy Afri Friday, October 19, 2018

October 19, 2018

LIGHTED BY FAITH

Luke 12: 1-7

One day during the winter season in Italy, I heard the voice of our Rector. He said, “Are you sure that here there is the light ?” No one of us in that internet point responds it because no one feels in the dark. In fact, at that time everybody was busy with his chatting. We feel in the light because of the computer’s monitor. But, actually, there was a darkness in the room. The interrogation was not about our feeling about the room but it was a request to turn on the light.

Our faith is about the light. We are like in the big room full of light. The problem is we don't know where we are. We feel in the light but actually, we are in the dark. Sometimes, we don’t aware of our position. We make many wicked things and think that all of this is good. We don’t realize that what we do now in the dark, one day will appear in the light. What I do today will be revealed in next day. In that time, we will realize how wrong is our action.

Reflecting this reality, we need the light of Christ. Actually, he always gives us His Light. Now, he is waiting for our response. We want to be in the light with Him or we want to stay in our dark.

Have a nice day.

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TABLE OF EUCHARIST

Gordy Afri Wednesday, October 17, 2018

October 18, 2018

TABLE OF EUCHARIST

Luke 10: 1-9

One of the good traditions in Thailand is eating together after the Sunday Mass. I saw this in some places. It is good because the people can continue the Eucharist in this table. The table of Eucharist outside of the holy mass. Last Sunday and two weeks ago, I participated in the ‘table of Eucharist’ in one parish out of Bangkok. The people generously prepare the food for all. I really enjoy it even I only just to smile with them without understanding the language. Here, we can find the mutual relationship between us as a missionary or as a priest and the people of God. We put all our trust in the heart of people who prepare food for us.

Today’s Gospel talks about the disciples who sent by Jesus. They also put their trust in the people they will meet in the mission. That’s why Jesus asks them to don’t bring many things. Bring only the trust and peace. For me as a missionary, this Gospel is really a life experience. I feel that not only I read it but also I experience it here in Thailand. We are all the disciples of Jesus. We must trust our need of food to the people of God we meet. God sends to them the heart to receive us in His mission.

Let us pray with Saint Luke who bring the Gospel for all people who wants to know the Good News.

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REQUESTED BY GRAB DRIVER

Gordy Afri Tuesday, October 16, 2018

October 16, 2018

REQUESTED BY GRAB DRIVER

Luke 11: 37-41

Last Sunday, I went to Rangsit (one city closed to Bangkok) to celebrate the English Mass. I ordered the Grab and found it after spending 10 minutes waiting. I tried to speak in Thai during this trip. The driver helps me to make the good sentence in Thai. Most of our conversation was in English because I don't have many vocabularies in the Thai language.

At the end of this trip, the driver asked me to give him the point in Grab Application. He told me that the point is important to him. But, he said to me that I am free to give him point according to what I feel during the trip. He said also that he can not say that he is a good driver. This items, said him, must be valued by the passenger, not by himself.

In today’s Gospel Jesus asks us to clean our heart rather than our outside self. Inside is important than outside. Our heart is like the thought of that Grab driver. It must be free. Only the clean heart can free to see something. The dirty heart cannot see everything with a clear view. That’s why Jesus invites us to clean first inside and then outside.

Let us pray to the Lord so that we have the pure heart like the Jesus’ heart.

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BEHIND THE NECKLACE

Gordy Afri Sunday, October 14, 2018

October 15, 2018

BEHIND THE NECKLACE

Luke 11: 29-32

In Thailand, many people use the necklace of Buddha. Everywhere we can see how the people use it in many forms. In the middle, there is a picture or a little statue of Buddha. The Buddha’s necklace here is like a cross’ necklace in some European countries. It same also for the Christians and Catholics youth in Indonesia.

Today’s Gospel tells about the sign. The people ask the sign to Jesus. For Jesus, no other sign for them, except the sign of Jonah. This sign shows the power of life after spending three days inside the fish’s stomach. This sign must be a powerful sign to be faithful to the Lord, the sign of fidelity. But, this is their lacking.

Like for the Catholics youth, the Thai people or Buddhi’s people, the necklace is a sign of faithful. The faithful to Buddha. The cross necklace for a Christian must be a sign reminds him to become faithful to the Lord. For us, the series of life, death, and resurrection of Christ are the unique sign for our faith. It reminds us about the love of our Lord to all of us. Even Though we don’t use the cross necklace, the series is a big and powerful sign for us.

So, do we need the other sign also?

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WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

Gordy Afri Sunday, October 14, 2018

October 14, 2018

WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

Mark 10: 17-30

I’m studying the Thai Language. Every day I have something to do with this study: the homework, reading, writing, and many others things. Sometimes, I feel good, I am very happy, for instance when the teacher said, "Ooww you are very good," after seeing my homework. But, sometimes, I feel down, I am sad. Anyway, every day I have to face these things. And, little by little arrive many plans in my head: like I must know this language, I must write in Thai, I must read very well in Thai. Shortly, I have many purposes for what I must do with the Thai language. But, many times I feel in failure. I wanted to read in Thai but I don’t know the Thai characters, the Thai alphabet. I want to write in Thai but I don’t know how to make the sentence with the Thai alphabet.

Today’s Gospel tells about almost the same thing. There is a young rich man who wants to know the way to eternal life. He asks this to Jesus. Jesus in that point doesn’t answer his question, about the way to eternal life. Jesus gives him the way to love each other. All the things that Jesus asks to him are about the relationship with the other, not the relation with God. Don’t kill, don’t commit adultery, don’t bear false witness, honour your father and your mother. It means that the way to eternal life is loving each other. No other way.

Sometimes, we think the great things about our Lord but we forgot that God is present in simple people. We think that only the rich people can praise and glorify the Lord because they have money to make the pilgrimage to the holy land. We forgot that if we help the poor people around us, we make the pilgrimage to eternal life.

Jesus doesn’t hate the rich people or poor people. Jesus hates the rich and the poor people who have a rich mentality, who wants to collect and collect much money, and doesn’t want to share with the other. Not only the rich people but also the poor people have a rich mentality, who continue to have more and more. The rich according to Jesus is someone who shares his own things with the other. Many you share many you get, and you feel very rich.

In this Eucharist, let us pray to the Lord so that all of us have a poor mentality poor in Christ so that we can help and love each other, find the face of our Lord in the face of the other.

Happy Sunday

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BLESSED THE WOMB

Gordy Afri Saturday, October 13, 2018

October 13, 2018

BLESSED THE WOMB

Luke 11: 27-28

Many times, I see the mothers who are very happy telling the success story of their children. “My son has a job now, thanks be to God.” This is only one of the many stories. For the rich people, this kind of story perhaps not so great to be proud. But, it is different if the poor family tells it.

Success is the source of joy for the mothers. In today’s Gospel, someone greets the mother of Jesus. “Blessed the womb that bore you….” This greeting means that Jesus is a good son. He makes his mother full of joy.

The joy for Jesus is more than this. Jesus stress on those who listen to the Word of God and observes it. This is another joy that more deeply than the first. We know that Mary, mother of God, is one who completes these things. She is an example for all the Christians.

Let us pray with her particularly in this period, dedicated as a rosary month.

Happy weekend.

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BASED ON OPINION

Gordy Afri Friday, October 12, 2018

October 12, 2018

BASED ON OPINION

Luke 11: 15-26

Yesterday afternoon, for the first time, I spoke with one Russian worker who serves in our house. Usually, I just greet him in English when we are facing because I don’t know if he speaks Thai or English. After introducing himself, he suddenly asked me, “Do you like Donald Trump?” I told Him that I don’t have many interests to know Trump. He replied that I can know him by listening to the radio news or television. And, I said that I don’t read many things about Donald Trump and I don’t watch TV or listen to the radio.

Shortly, I told him that I don’t like Trump only about his choice for the immigrant people in the USA. I was very sad listening about the Mexican children who were separated from their family because their parents had a problem with their documents. Other things about him, I don’t know. He told me that he doesn’t like Trump because he makes the rich people become very rich and the poor become very poor. He listened to it from his friends.

Today’s Gospel shows us about the power of Jesus won against the Satan. His power is very powerful than the power of Satan. Even Jesus won, many people asked Him about his power. Some of them judged Him that He won against the Satan with the power of Beelzebul. If Jesus uses the power of Satan how come He make fall the Satan?

Their judgment doesn’t have a strong argument. We can say that this judgment based only on the listening and not on the experiencing about it. We can not make like this. If we want to speak about Jesus, we must have a relation with Him. We can not tell many things about Jesus by giving the information that we receive from the other people. I believe, in this case, we can share the outcome of our relation with Him.

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SUCCESS BY WISH

Gordy Afri Thursday, October 11, 2018

October 11, 2018

SUCCESS BY WISH

Luke 11: 5-13

When I arrived in Bangkok, I need the soap to take a shower. I asked my friend and he accompanied me to one place where there are many things. There are some kinds of soap. He suggested me to choose what I want. He told me that in this room we have many things for the poor people. We give it to those who really need it. And, even we give many things, many things also we receive from many people.

Today’s Gospel talks about the prayer. This is the topic that we read already yesterday. Jesus invites us to continue to pray in faith. Pray in faith means pray to the Lord without stress on our need. We pray and we hope God gives us what we ask, but even God doesn’t give us about it, we continue to pray. The reason is this, we pray to Our Father and not to ask what we want. Jesus also talks that when we ask, continue to ask, and then we will receive it.

I think that what we make here with many things we receive is an application about this persistent prayer. We continue to give, and we continue to receive. Let us pray to the Lord so that we have this kind of attitude to have the persistent prayer.

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